“I second that” is an expression that people use a lot, particularly in workplace settings. If you’re unfamiliar with “I second that”, you probably aren’t too sure of what it means. This article will explain what “I second that” means, so that you can freely use it.
What Does “I Second That” Mean?
“I second that” is an expression that you can use to express support for something someone else is saying. When you use “I second that”, you’re letting everyone else know that you also support that idea. Because of this fact, it’s an ideal phrase to use in group settings.
It might happen that you find yourself in a group, working on something. If someone says something you agree with, you use “I second that”. Thus, you express public support for their idea.
Take a look at this example conversation to see how it’s used in action:
- I think that we should start with the lower level employees, and then go up from there.
- I second that, it’s the most reasonable way to work.
In this conversation, someone proposes a way to organize their work. Then, a second person agrees using “I second that”. They then proceed to explain why they agree.
Here’s another example conversation that will help you out:
- I say we go and talk to her right away, see what she knows.
- I don’t second that, I think it’s a bad idea and you’re being rash.
In this case, you see how you can use the negative “I don’t second that”. It expresses how you don’t agree with and don’t support an idea.
Check this conversation out as well:
- We really should go have some lunch, I’m starving.
- I second that motion, we ought to eat soon.
In this case, the person uses “I second that motion”. This is a variation on the phrase that you can use, and it expresses the same thing.
I Second That or I Second This?
There is a difference between “I second that” and “I second this”. “I second that” is used in casual conversation. “I second this” more so refers to seeing a plan or an idea in writing, and agreeing with it.
Here’s an example you’ll appreciate:
- Let’s scope out the terrain first.
- I second that, let’s go.
In this case, the first person brought up a plan. The second person agreed using “I second that”.
Now take a look at this example:
- I second this plan that you’ve written here, about the sales initiative for next week.
In this case, the person is using “I second this” because they saw the plan in writing. They’re not replying to someone.
I Second That – Synonyms
“I second that” is a great way to express verbal agreement with someone in conversation. There are other ways in English that you can use to express agreement. Here are some synonyms for “I second that”:
- I agree with that
- I think you’re right
- Let’s do that
- We should go with your idea
Incorrect Ways to Use “I Second That”
You shouldn’t use “I second that” to refer to coming in second in something. This is a common mistake, as people assume “I second that” refers to competing in something. However, “I second that” actually refers to supporting an idea.
Therefore, using “I second that” to imply that you came second in a competition is incorrect. It’s a popular error, and one that you should avoid.
In What Situations Can You Use “I Second That”?
There are many situations where you can use “I second that”. If you’re in casual conversation with someone and they say something you agree with. You can use it in more formal environments, like workplace conversation. If a coworker says something you agree with, you can use it as well.
Therefore, you can see that “I second that” is a very versatile expression. It can be used in both formal and casual environments.